Outline for Topic: Utilization of Picture Boards For Foreign Speakers in Hospitals

Utilization of Picture Boards In Hospitals

INTRODUCTION:

Imagine that you are vacationing in a foreign country with your family. You are having a good time when all of a sudden, something goes terribly wrong and someone needs medical attention. This can be pretty scary, especially when thinking about the conditions of the hospital and how you are going to communicate your injuries to non-English speaking medical personnel.
In the United States, we have federally mandated translators to help bridge the gap between foreign speakers and medical personnel, but that is proving to not be enough along with cultural differences. There is a need for a more universal device in conjunction with translators, and that is where the picture boards come into play.

VISUAL AID= POWER POINT PRESENTATION, pictures from CNN.com/health

I. Use of picture boards

A. More than nine state hospital associations now utilize large double-sided panels known as picture boards.
1. Picture boards ease the gap in communication between non-English speakers and medical personnel in hospitals.
2. The patient picks out their language and the correct (federally mandated) translator is notified and brought to aid patient in the communication process.
3. According to CNN.com, pictures are shown on the board relating to patient problems "such as pain, a burn, breathing trouble or a fall-- as well as the part of the body that is affected" (“Picture Boards Bridge Hospital Language Gaps” 2007).

B. Origin/Distribution
1. They are being administered by US Department of Health and Human Services.
2. Originated 1992 in Florida after Hurricane Andrew, popularity and need grew more after September 11, 2001 attacks.
Source 1: CNN.com 9/2007 Picture boards bridge hospital language gaps

II. Relevance/Need

A. Scientific Facts/Study
1. According to CNN.com, “48 percent of hospitals encounter patients with limited English skills daily" (“Picture Boards Bridge Hospital Language Gaps” 2007).
2. Blanca Angelica Gonzalez, RN of the American Public Health Association wrote of a scientific study in which 68 people were given a survey to determine "sources of social support and barriers to healthcare in a convenience sample of community dwelling older Latinos" (****).
a. 82% preferred to take the survey in Spanish.
b. 89.7% people were not born in the United States.
c. 92.7% want to seek formal healthcare.
d. Obstacles
1. Obstacles included "cost (73.6%).
2. Transportation (51.5%) was another issue.
3. Unfamiliarity with providers (41.3%) was noted.
4. Language barriers (64.7%) were listed as second to cost.
Source 3: Nov. 2007 Social support and barriers to healthcare among older Latinos in a rural community


III. Problems associated with language barriers.

A. According to Yolanda Partida in an article for the American Medical Association Virtual Mentor, “health care environments have cultures of their own, ways of doing things, and uses of language that are different than what average persons experience in their day to day lives” so it can be difficult for you and me that speak English, to understand our healthcare professionals let alone foreign-speakers (566-571).

B. Partida also says that doctors are not prepared for "Rapid growth of the population with limited English proficiency (LEP)…." (566-571).

C. Also, culture is linked into the language and can cause problems.
1. There are problems associated with patient-healthcare relations.
a. English-Spanish translations have different meanings, which can be difficult for translators to relay correct meanings as well.
1. -Misunderstandings: “For example, the newly diagnosed diabetes patient may encounter familiar words such as blood, sugar, diet, and exercise but in a context that may be unfamiliar and possibly confusing” (Partida 566-571).
2. "(1) Language and culture are inextricably linked; (2) relationship building is hindered with interpreter-mediated communication; and (3) cultural competency and effective communication are interdependent" (Partida 566-571).


Conclusion:
Today, we have discussed the uses, needs, and problems associated with picture boards being implemented in hospitals in the United States. Utilizing these boards will help to bridge the gap between patients and their doctors and healthcare professionals.







Works Cited

Partida, Yolanda. “Language Barriers and the Patient Encounter.” Virtual Mentor
9 (2007): 566-571. 7 September 2007.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/print/17811.html.

Blanca Angelica Gonzalez, BA, RN. “Social support and barriers to healthcare among older
Latinos in a rural community.” **** (****):****. 7 September 2007.

“Picture Boards Bridge Hospital Language Gaps.” CNN.com/Health. 3 Sept. 2007.
7 September 2007
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/09/03/emergency.picture.board.ap/index.html? iref=newssearch .